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Essential service, schools out for summer

Filed under: Collective bargaining by percypaschal — 9 Comments
June 23, 2014

 

Photo: KDG

Photo: KDG

The School system will be down for the rest of the year starting today. A source says that provincial exams are still on and grading will be done from where instruction was discontinued, so no one will lose the year. This fulfills the essential service that school and other public works are under. One hundred and nine young people Graduated From Merritt Secondary School on Friday. The ceremony was held at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena and a parade from the high school was headed by Mounties in their Scarlet dress uniforms.

School district 58 includes the Nicola Valley, Merritt, and Princeton primary and secondary schools. http://www.sd58.bc.ca/District/Home.html

Today in history: June 23 1946
The Vancouver Island Earthquake strikes Vancouver Island, Canada

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TGIF: offical birthday, thanks for the memories

Filed under: Climate, Environment, First Nations People, Fish, Government Works, Social Activism by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 20, 2014
photo: KDG

The sun the source of all energy Photo: KDG

The current monarch of Great Britain just celebrated her 88th birthday, that was the official birthday it is celebrated some months apart from her actual one. Elizabeth the second was born on April 22 1926. She was crowned in 1952 on February 6th. Her ancestor Victoria was monarch for 67 years, she has served 62 years and 4 months to this time making her 93 years old to reach the record of Victoria. She has caught  up to George the 3rd who reigned 3 months short of 60 years  to take the second longest crowned monarch in Great Britain.

The Crown of Great Britain has not got power in Canada any longer, neither do her ministers, the legal governing authority is  the Parliament of Canada, however we are not representative government as the Americans are. Referendums and other actions are not binding on Parliament however the parliament can only last 5 years without a general election by the people. The Queen is still technically the commander in chief of our armed forces through the Governor General, this is ceremonial and not functional as the Chief of the defence staff, usually a military officer, is accountable to the Cabinet for this, which can make decisions according to the laws parliament arms them with.

The whole thing is dependant on people who vote in or out members of parliament. Private business is subject to laws of parliament which include permits and regulations that they seek to have as advantageous as possible to their interests. The invisible hand of market capitalism is less invisible in Canada then in the US.

The public interest is something more directly valued then the trickle down sentiment in the US and the recent letting of permission by the Federal Cabinet for a pipeline in British Columbia has many demands above simple economics here. The 209 conditions are as potent now as they were before the approval. As are the 5 conditions of the province.

A birth right extends to all Canadians with residual benefit to her commonwealth historical links as a trickling effect. We value our resources and expect the spending of them to be responsible and as sustainable as possible. An as the implementation of their use comes about, that they would not be dispersed as a drunken resource binge. That public safety and enjoyment of aesthetics will be as important as wealth creation.

So to those that historically braved the seas and risked life and limb for the future peace and prosperity of nations, such as David Thompson,and Simon Fraser ,we say, good day!

Editors Note: lots of luck and good fortune to the federal MPs in British Columbia

Today in history: June 20th 1837

Queen Victoria  becomes monarch of Great Britain.

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Robots, Joel Reid

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Sports and Leisure, Tourists by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 19, 2014

There is an art show going on at the Old Court House Gallery here in Merritt, British Columbia. Robots is the brain child of two young men one an artist and the other a manager. Critick: Large oil on canvas renderings show impressionist near abstraction views of life. The less then perfect paint applications give the message of a passive on compliance to uniformity.  The form lends to giving expression to those that may question the why and will of a manufactured existence.

The Court House Gallery is at 1840 Nicola Avenue the  Joel Reid’s Robots show runs to June 28th with an artist reception on June 26th.

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The shows closing reception was held on June 27th, Catherine OBourne, John Yellowknees, and others were in attendance and the artist Joel Ried was there to introduce the works a 48×48 painting titled face value sold for just over a thousand dollars. The work was in acrylic and was not displayed in the premier wall spot. Joel said that 10 years ago he was called an emerging artist and says he still is. He calls his style expressionism.

Today in History: June 19th 1970

The patent coöperation treaty is signed.

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New crosswalk markings

Filed under: Sports and Leisure, Tourists, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 18, 2014

The city is trying out a new way of marking cross-walks, the main work was completed in a timely fashion and as a right of spring by painting contractors, but this week the works foreman and a worker were using a torch to bond cross walk bars on the cross-walks across the way from MacDonald’s of Voght Street. They tried one application last year and it is still serviceable this spring. ” the stop line is very well preserved” ” we are not early opters they have been used elswhere” works foreman.

Cross-walks are by far the safest way to cross a street, however using groups and high-visability clothing is another way to increase your chances of not getting injured. There is no substitute to eye contact with drivers and awareness. Watch for some pickup trucks that have metal pieces between side windows and the back window, especially if they California stop. A person was killed here off Nicola avenue wearing dark clothing and relying on the cross walk to be safe after dark.

Not all pedestrians are licensed drivers to rely on there actions may be folly, and right away is cold comfort to permanent chronic pain.

 

 

Today in History: June 18th 1983

Sally Ride becomes the first  American women in space.

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Nissan Leaf

Filed under: Cars, Climate, Enterprize, Environment, Social Activism, Sports and Leisure, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 17, 2014

 

Nisson Leaf At 500 amp charging station Photo KDG

Nissan Leaf
At 500 volt 120 amp charging station
Photo KDG

The 500 volt 120 amp DC charger is getting use on Voght street, the owner of this car stopped the charge at 86 percent as he said that’s” better for the battery”. He had charged up in Hope about an hour to the west of Merritt. The approximate 1/2 hour charging stop, was on his way to Salmon Arm, ” I also use the 2 hour charger at my home”

One year ago, electric vehicle drivers in British Columbia would have been hard pressed to find a public charging station to top up their battery. Today, they have access to nearly 500 electric vehicle charging stations located throughout the province: source : One year ago, electric vehicle drivers in British Columbia would have been hard pressed to find a public charging station to top up their battery. Today, they have access to nearly 500 electric vehicle charging stations located throughout the province. source: http://blog.wwf.ca/blog/2013/11/14/charging-bc/

Charging stations have a number of capacities needing more or less time and attention:

New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

UVic’s two new electric vehicle charging stations come into operation the week of April 2nd. These level 2 (240 volt), 60 amp stations from Sun Country Highway are available for use by the campus community and guests 24/7 outside the Campus Security Building in parking lot #2. They are located in metered parking spaces for a fee of $1.50 per hour (a $.25 premium over our regular parking rates) for a maximum of 2 hours. Funding for these stations has been provided by the BC government’s Community Charging Infrastructure Project, an incentive program that has funded over 500 electric vehicle charging stations across BC. Find out more about the program at the Plug In BC website.

Also note that the province recently announced an extension of the its Clean Energy Vehicle Incentive Program which provides BC residents with up to $5,000 off the pre-tax sticker price of qualifying new battery electric cars. source: http://www.uvic.ca/sustainability/home/news/current/EV%20Charging%20Stations.php

 Editors note: The quotes  above are dated. However this week sees the  arrival of the BMW version of electric vehicle to the Vancouver market. The E1 is being sold as a mid range EV. The Province paper is reporting that it is a carbon fiber body usually only available at ” bank account breaking prices.” The BMW website is promoting a turbo charge cord as a quick and easy way to charge an EV. The cord has an adapter that can access 120 and 240 volt house wiring, Electric ranges and dryers have a 240 volt capacity, the 240 volt system depending on the amperage can increase charging conveinece  by bringing time down to about 2 hours. It appears that the cord can be brought on trips where access to friends outlets may be available. There is no free power from private homes and they are metered in the normal way. The charging net work of public access remains free to users.

Access to some charging stations may require a key fob, particularly in the US, some universities are adding 25 cents an hour to the parking fee for charge stations. Key fobs are available at a monthly rate on AV sites and a visit rate.

Sun Country, EV Photo KDG

Sun Country, EV
Photo KDG

Sun Country Electric Hyway is the business that is most seen in operations in Canada. The roadster seen is a discontinued Telsa model, its production was taken over by the Tesla model S with a range up to near 500 kilometers. A jaguar model Ev  up to near 1.5 million is coming in the fall of 2015. the sun country website lists numbers of EV models from numbers of companies: https://suncountryhighway.ca/evfinder/

Sun country has an EV with a 1.5 liter gasoline charging engine that can be driven for hundreds of KMs and the vehicle used to run electric tools.

The Tesla model S has been involved in a couple of fires, the all aluminum body is flammable at high heat.

Watch out for proprietary adapters especially on Tesla roadsters, The Sun Country network 30 to 90 amp chargers are only accessible with an adapter, not free, for some Tesla products.

For the record, there were 187,500 “highway vehicle fires” in the US in 2011 (the last year for which data is available), according to the National Fire Prevention Association. But there was a fire yesterday that is starting to catch some attention, and we’re pretty sure you all know why. Electric vehicle fires – whether they be in China or the US, started while moving or stopped – often become comment fodder, even when we learn after the fact that the electric part of the powertrain has nothing to do with with the blaze. source:http://green.autoblog.com/2013/10/02/tesla-model-s-fire/

Today in history: June 17th 1994

OJ Simpson is arrested for the alleged murder of his ex-wife and boyfriend, after a slow speed chase.

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Oil field jobs

Filed under: Enterprize, Environment, Government Works, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 13, 2014

June 11th saw a recruiting drive for oilfield jobs hosted by work BC at the Merritt Civic Center. A work BC representative said that there was over 100 interested people in attendance standing room only for the room rented.

“27 dollars an hour base rate” was heard from the power point presenter. We were not sure of the context as we cautioned about going into the room by a workplace BC official. registration was requested in the full-page ad ASCO an international oilfield company put in the local newspaper. They said that attendance was mandatory to arrange an interview. They also advertised  that they would have on the spot hires.

They were offering jobs as class 1 and 3 drivers, mechanics, pickers , supervisors. 20 days in 10 out , accommodation provided. The jobs are in the oilpatch, ASCO bills itself as an international operator but the feeling was  the session was geared to Alberta.

ASCO lists its headquarters, as: Regent Centre ,Regent Road ,Aberdeen, AB11 5NS United Kingdom on its linked in page.

The job fair is on the same day as a job action by the local school teachers, and the high school being not in service.

 

 

 

 

 

Today in history: June 12th 1776

The Virgina resolution, for the Declaration of rights is adopted.

Today in history: June 13th 1933

The Great Depression home owners refinancing act  as part of the new deal increases amortization of mortgages to 20 – 25 years.

Today in history: June 13th 1970

The Beatles Long and Winding Road, song becomes their first number 0ne hit.

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Town meeting

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Sports and Leisure by percypaschal — Leave a comment
June 12, 2014

There has been a town meeting called for the 8th of July at the Merritt, Public library. Between 6 and 7 pM discussion will be on the future of the library and the way you want it to be. Ebooks, computers, children’s programing?

Cheese, crackers….. Cinnamon buns.

Today in history June 12th 1939

The baseball hall of fame opens in Coopers town,.New York

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Dance is back

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Enterprize, immigration by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 11, 2014

The old court house building in Merritt on the 1800 block of Nicola avenue is going to have its dance studio back. The studio had closed over immigration problems with the principle, who had to move back to South Africa, now the difficulties are resolved and there will be ballet and dance in the upper floors of the building that hosts the art gallery.

 

 

The old court house on nicola avenue in Merritt. Photo KDG

The old court-house on Nicola avenue in Merritt.
Photo KDG

Today in history: June 11, 1184 BC

Troy is sacked according to calculations by Eratosthenes.

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1GR8EV

Filed under: -Photography, Climate, Environment, Recreational Vehicles, Sports and Leisure, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 10, 2014
1GR8EV Photo: KDG

1GR8EV
Photo: KDG

There was a new  white Tesla motor car at the charging station, sitting unattended recharging from the 90 amp charger sporting a personalized British Columbia licence plate with the message that the car was “one great electric vehicle”. The car was backed in showing her lines and neat and clean as a whistle. The car’s plate demonstrating the on front view that  provides a clear and clean shot for photo collectors such as toll booths. At one time there was photo radar in the province but it was nipped in the bud by a mandate that premier Gordon Campbell’s liberal government sought and won.

Tech giant the late Steve Jobs never had any licence plates on his Mercedes car to do that he had to buy a new one every six months  because California law allowed 6 months before registration was required.

Technology is here to stay however we still have the privilege of looking a police officer in the eye when getting a speeding ticket.

 

 

Today in history: June 10th 1947

Saab motor cars produces its first car.

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Thanks to the Vets

Filed under: War and conflict by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 6, 2014

 

No person is an island to their self Photo KDG

No person is an island to him self
Photo KDG

The Normandy invasion happened 70 years ago today almost but not quite passed from living memory, soon it will be! The veterans and people who made political office after to win the peace will be gone  leaving only films and accounting in books and a skewed conversations and reminisces. Then will there be a re learning needed? We hope not.

In 1948 the United Nations published the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the aspiration of  a good future for the person and small nations put forward as a goal for humanity.  The declaration was based on the thought that freedom and an inverted triangle might make sure a better future then dominance and compliance had done over the centuries.

Think of those that remember this event but better still use your freedom to better your life and in doing that better everyone’s  by cooperating in an interdependent world.

 

Today in History: June 6th 1944

Seventy years ago today the battle of Normandy begins, with one hundred fifty-five thousand allied troops landing in France.

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No contract since June 2013

Filed under: Collective bargaining, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 5, 2014

The local school district BC #58 was picketing on Tuesday at the local high school. A member when asked about the issue first respond to class size , then when asked about  having  a contract currently they said not since June of last year.  Today there are reports of students , walking out because of a feeling of being caught between the parties. A contract may seem a heady term but you can substitute the word agreement which is a term much more desirable when affecting formative young people. It is our opinion that conflict between parties responsible for young people is not desirable and a contract that limits ad hoc activity or confusion and gives security to plan is advantageous to everyone.

In common law legal systems, a contract (or informally known as an agreement in some jurisdictions) is an agreement having a lawful object entered into voluntarily by two or more parties, each of whom intends to create one or more legal obligations between them. The elements of a contract are “offer” and “acceptance” by “competent persons” having legal capacity who exchange “consideration” to create “mutuality of obligation.”[1]

Proof of some or all of these elements may be done in writing, though contracts may be made entirely orally or by conduct. The remedy for breach of contract can be “damages” in the form of compensation of money or specific performance enforced through an injunction. Both of these remedies award the party at loss the “benefit of the bargain” or expectation damages, which are greater than mere reliance damages, as in promissory estoppel. The parties may be natural persons or juristic persons. A contract is a legally enforceable promise or undertaking that something will or will not occur. The word promise can be used as a legal synonym for contract,[2] although care is required as a promise may not have the full standing of a contract, as when it is an agreement without consideration.

Contract law varies greatly from one jurisdiction to another, including differences in common law compared to civil law, the impact of received law, particularly from England in common law countries, and of law codified in regional legislation. Regarding Australian Contract Law for example, there are 40 relevant acts which impact on the interpretation of contract at the Commonwealth (Federal / national) level, and an additional 26 acts at the level of the state of NSW. In addition there are 6 international instruments or conventions which are applicable for international dealings, such as the United Nations  source Wikipedia

Opinion: Two years is a normal window for a contract to be in effect however if a longer one is a reasonable concession to one or another party it may be worthy of consideration, working without a contract does not constitute this.

Today in History: June 5th 2013

The last transit of Venus for the 21st century occurs.

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Tours of the mine curtailed, june 5th barbe

Filed under: Enterprize, Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
June 4, 2014

 

The Teck operation at Highland Valley Copper are not offering tours now, as a cost saving measure. However they are hosting a get together on June 5th from 12:00 to 2:00 at the Spirit square in Merritt. Spirit Square  is also known as legacy square, is on the corner of Voght and Granite avenue here  in Merritt and is a legacy project from he recent winter olympics held in BC.

Billed as a barbecue the event is a get to know the company and its operation. Teck has a community relations office on the adjacent corner with publications and access to about a dozen officials of the company four days a week.

Hamburger or hotdog by donation: all proceeds to local charities; Contact is mellisa.pinyon@teck.com.

 

Today in history: June 4rth 1988

Born: Li Mann Chinese actor

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